BC NDP MLAs Ravi Parmar and Darlene Rotchford say funding will strengthen emergency support services in Esquimalt and in the West Shore

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VIEW ROYAL – BC NDP MLAs Ravi Parmar and Darlene Rotchford say Esquimalt and West Shore communities are receiving funding that will help to better support people who need to evacuate from their homes during emergencies.

“Thanks to this funding, Esquimalt, View Royal and the Songhees Nation will be more prepared in case of disasters and emergencies,” says Darlene Rotchford, MLA for Esquimalt-Colwood. “Enhancing services like these helps keep communities safe.”

The following local communities are receiving funding:

  • Esquimalt – $15,142 for ESS tools and personal protective equipment for volunteers
  • Langford – $29,100 for ESS leadership training and volunteer retention activities
  • Songhees Nation – $39,804 for training, exercises and group lodging capacity
  • View Royal – $40,000 for ESS equipment, supplies and training

The BC New Democrat government is providing over $5 million for 113 local projects. The funding will help communities expand their capacity to provide emergency support services through volunteer recruitment and retention, volunteer training, and the purchase of equipment.

“Emergencies are when we need leadership the most,” says Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Highlands. “This funding will enhance leadership training for emergency support services so that the volunteers serving Langford have the tools they need to succeed.”

The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund is a suite of funding programs designed to help local governments and First Nations better prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate. These programs include public notification and evacuation-route planning, emergency operations centre equipment and training, volunteer and composite fire department equipment and training, and Indigenous cultural safety and humility training.

Since its establishment in 2017, the Province has committed $369 million into CEPF. To date, approximately $315 million has been provided for approximately 2,400 projects across all CEPF streams. This fund is administered through the Union of BC Municipalities.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025EMCR0010-000312